"We all know what's at stake," Appling said. "Each and every player that has come through Michigan State has reached the Final Four. We obviously don't want to be the class to break the streak.

"We just come in each and every day and work as hard as we can because we don't want to be the two to break the streak. That would be miserable."

Payne said it's something that the pair of seniors always bring up in conversation.

"Every time we talk, we talk about it," he said. "It's something that we know we have to continue to strive for and get better so we can make it there."

Izzo, for his part, said it isn't something he brings up – and he knows the players are well aware of the streak.

"I don't think that's something a coach in a way should talk about," Izzo said. "My former players come back, Mateen and Raymar Morgan were here yesterday. I love when players talk about it. Travis Walton, you know, he walked around all summer. I haven't had anybody like that yet. But I think Adreian and Keith are more than aware of it."

Izzo noted that he doesn't know of another streak quite like it, so it is something he wants to see continue.

"I guess John Wooden would have had one like that, but there are not many people that have it," he said. "Yet, like every other streak on record, it's one that's made to be broken; I just hope it's not this year because it is something that I'm very proud of.

"I hope they're proud of it, and understand how important it is to at least live up to or more than the players that played before you."